Making ‘progress’ – Local shop paints future of BU football

In his painting called “Progress,” artist Joe Magnano depicts the beauty of transformation and development of Baylor’s future. The original creation is on display at Harts N Crafts on Eighth Street across from campus, and the recreations are available for purchase.Courtesy of Harts ‘n Crafts

By Haley Davis
Reporter

With all the excitement and energy surrounding Floyd Casey Stadium’s final game, one near-campus store is helping Baylor look forward to the future.

Harts N Crafts gift shop, arts and craft supply store gives a peek at the process with its original painting of the building of Baylor Stadium.

Artist Joe Magnano created a painting of the new stadium, aptly named “Progress.” Harts N Crafts has made 2,500 copies of the painting that are all signed and numbered. These are limited edition pieces; once they are gone, there will be no more.

During Family Weekend, Alicia Hart, owner of the store, and Magnano brainstormed ideas to create something unique that he could paint for the store.

After wandering around campus looking for inspiration, Magnano looked at the new stadium and found his inspiration.

“Everyone is so excited about the finished project that they are missing the process happening right now,” Magnano said.

Magnano moved to Waco from San Francisco to help with Hart’s store, because he wanted to focus his art without all the madness.

“We are art freaks; we slow down to appreciate art,” Magnano said. “The stadium is local and college history. The engineering and architecture involved in building it is amazing,”

The painting depicts the stadium at the beginning of the fall semester, and the 18-by-25 copies are sold for $20.

“Since they are all numbered, it is cool having people come in looking for a specific number like their graduation year,” Hart said.

The store is also selling the first three prints framed and the original 48-by-36 acrylic painting on canvas is hanging in the store for sale at $1,110.

“It is so great to paint something that people are so excited about,” Magnano said. “We are creating a connection between art and Baylor.”

Magnano says it is rewarding to see people excited to buy his paintings. That as an artist, it is fun capturing a moment that means so much to people.

“This is an iconic time in Baylor’s history, and this piece shows that,” Hart said. “This stadium is bringing the community together.”

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